06
Jul
2007
NaviGadget: In addition to the NAV700, V7 has also prepared the NAV720, which is similar to 700 but it adds bluetooth hands free calling and is Traffic Messaging Channel (TMC) ready.NAV720 features a really sharp 4″ touch screen at 480 x 272 resolution which you can use to watch your MPEG4 videos as well pictures. NAV720 relies on the sensitive SiRF Star III receiver for GPS signals and a Samsung 2440 400Mhz processor for generating directions.
03
Jul
2007
GPS Tracklog: You can tell that the GPS business is getting crowded when book publishers start manufacturing personal navigation devices. Okay, Wiley actually partnered with the Maylog Group on this, but they’ve created a GPS device, officially known as the FD-35, being marketed under the GPS Navigation for Dummies brand.
The specs claim maps of the U.S. and Canada, but the picture of the device on the GPS Navigation for Dummies website shows an Italian language screen.
23
Jun
2007
Engadget: Delphi, a familiar face when it comes to GPS navigation systems, is readying a followup to last year’s touchscreen based NAV200, aptly named the NAV300. The specs don’t deviate wildly from the older model, keeping the 400MHz processor, SiRFstar III GPS receiver and SD memory card options pretty much the same, but Bluetooth support and a microphone have been added so the device can be paired with your phone. No word yet on pricing or street date.
23
Jun
2007
I4U News: GPS Lodge got their hands on the new TomTom GO 720 at the TomTom offices. The TomTom Go 720 will ship in a couple of weeks from Amazon.
Quote from the preview:
“On my recent trip to TomTom, I was able to play with the new TomTom GO 720 and wanted to give you my first impressions. The TomTom GO 720 was recently announced, and while it’s not yet available to the public, it will be by the end of July/Early August. I think there are a couple of things going on with the TomTom GO 720 that are worth noting.
Gone is the big form factor; thin is in. The big news item that was associated with the TomTom GO 720 release was the MapShare program which should allow users to have some limited input initially on the maps, allowing you to input on the correctness of the maps and share those corrections with others.”
22
Jun
2007
Navigadget: Yes, it is one of those gadgets that come out in Korea every other day and not make it to Europe.
We can only look at it and drool. This one is called My Dean FX-1. It has a huge 7-inch touch screen, embedded GPS navigation system, DMB receiver, all sorts of media players, SD expansion slot, USB port and a host, FM radio, and various games.
20
Feb
2007
Heise online: In Germany sales of LCD-TVs rose by 104 percent to 2.86 billion euros last year. After navigation devices, which led the pack with sales growth of around 113 percent to 823 million euros, flat screens posted the second-fastest growth. Game consoles came in third on the Consumer Electronic Market Index (CEMIX) with 30 percent growth to reach 488 million euros.
The German Society for Home Entertainment and Communications Electronics (gfu) and the German Association of Retail Technology (BVT) draws up the CEMIX every year to reflect consumer demand for such products in Germany.
In the overall market for entertainment electronics, telecommunications, and information technology, the market researchers found that consumers spent some 4.5 percent more at 22.41 billion euros. In November, both gfu and BVT were still forecasting 3.5 percent growth. In particular, demand for LCD and plasma TVs probably gave the industry a sales boost during the Christmas season. Home entertainment electronics managed to grow by more than 10 percent to 13.4 billion euros.
In 2006, sales of navigation systems skyrocketed by more than 200 percent to 2.16 million items. Despite plummeting prices for navigation systems, manufacturers posted 113 percent greater sales at 823 million euros. Cell phone manufacturers also want to get a piece of the action and are therefore launching a wider range of models with integrated GPS navigation.
08
Dec
2006
Navigadget: We’ve talked the Sony PSP GPS a few times before. It looks like the little gadget (45mm x 41mm x 17mm, 16 grams) that sits right on top of your Sony PSP to give you GPS capabilities is available for consumers for about €45. So far there are a couple of games that can utilize the device, however we’re more interested in the Navigation Soft by Edia.
This standard car-navigation software features all the roadmaps in Japan. Aside from searching for car and walking routes, the software can also be used as a directory to search for nearby shops and other facilities. The maps and database can be updated using the PSP’s network capabilities.
We can’t wait for TomTom to release their nav software for the PSP. We’ll keep you updated on when this add-on will come to US or Europe.
30
Oct
2006
Newlaunches: Nokia has announced its first dedicated personal navigation device to include Europe-wide maps, the Nokia 330 Auto Navigation, to take you across European borders effortlessly allowing you to enjoy the ride, while it does the navigating.
Just like its phones the GPS is also fairly simple to use, just enter the destination of your journey and follow the directions from the large 3.5 inch color touch screen.
The Nokia 330 comes with a 2 GB memory card preloaded with Europe-wide map data and detailed travel information. It is not just a GPS receiver but also a PMP as it can playback video, audio and image files.
08
Jul
2006
This fall, Philips is to introduce a range of portable navigation devices. Three devices will compete with those of Dutch TomTom.
According to Philips, the PNS series – Personal Navigation System – will offer the safest and most practical GPS solution inside and outside the car. The devices are likely to appeal to first-time buyers, since user-friendliness (‘Sense and Simplicity’ being the brand’s tagline) was one of the main concerns during pre-production.
All 3 models (PNS 100, PNS 200, PNS 150) are supplied with special cradles with built-in amplifier and speaker with few control buttons. They all have small dimensions: 10 cm long and less than 2 cm thick, weighing only 160 grams.
Philips’ navigation devices will be priced at 399 euro to 599 euro.
